Tips on winter storage

[BilboBaggins]

Hi Everyone,
I'm about to store my T-bird ('04 PCR - 39,000 miles) for the winter and wanted to get some advice. I don't have a garage and am in the Saint Louis area (somewhat mild winter, but we do get snow, and they occasionally throw down salt on the road). I do have a pseudo-car port (wooden patio deck with parking underneath).

I was thinking of either placing a more heavy duty car cover on the bird (water drips through the deck when snow melts) so that I could start it up now and again during the winter (my mechanic tells me that T-birds like to be driven...).

I've also found a storage garage here in town that is climate controlled and supposedly secure at $150/mo - seems a little pricey. Have never owned a nice car like this before and I am wondering if it is just best for me to rent the garage for 4 months. I'm assuming I can hook up a battery tender there, and I'll treat the gas as well (griotsgarage.com). I don't think I'll be able to go and periodically start/drive the car if it is stored. So it would be affected by standing damage come march/april http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ht=car+storage Wondering if you think the outdoor cold would be worse for it though.

Any thoughts to help me decide? It is probably a no brainer. Thanks -BB

[MATBird]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Kyle: If it's going to be in the family a long time, I would go climate control and ask if there's power for the battery tender.
That other route sounds too risky....plastic may keep the water off it, but damp ground underneath would raise hell with the undercarriage. Plus, there will always be the risk of critters getting up under the hood for a good winters night....and chewing on wires is bad. In fact they may be able to follow wires into the cabin Just my opinion

[BilboBaggins]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Thanks George - You are probably right. I had a family of squirrels I chased out of the wall and boarded up their hole with flashing - they might be looking for revenge.

Is there anything I can spray the undercarriage with to help preserve it? Silicone spray, etc...?

[birdfan]

Re: Tips on winter storage

If you use a storage garage check to see if it has smoke detectors and sprinklers. It seems like every winter there is at least one story of collector cars being lost in a building fire.
I have used storage facilities a few times when I was moving and didn't have my own garage and have had good luck with it. Heated storage is definitely the best. Once I used an unheated facility and even though it was dry, and the outside of the car was dry, when I picked it up the inside was actually dripping with condensation. The building apparently had wide temperature swings during the days.
Meet with the facility owners, walk the place down, and make sure you are comfortable with how they run it and will treat your car. If you can park it yourself, great. If not, make sure you can watch them park it. If they won't let you watch, that should tell you something about how they run the place.
Just some things to think over.

[04birdman]

Re: Tips on winter storage

best thing for the car..on the clear days take the cover off and DRIVE it...it will be alot happier and you will have alot less problems....just read the threads from the queens.{re:fuel pumps/batteries etc}

[5bird7]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Kyle: ... Plus, there will always be the risk of critters getting up under the hood for a good winters night....and chewing on wires is bad. In fact they may be able to follow wires into the cabin Just my opinion

I've found two dead mice inside my LeBaron that is parked outside all the time (though under cover). I really think they get in thru the holes that have to be there to get wiring inside the car. They can squeeze thru just about any size hole they can get their little head thru.

[FritsB]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Got space enough for a couple of Birds. All you have to do is ship it to NL. Guaranteed critter free

[snowbird]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Got space enough for a couple of Birds. All you have to do is ship it to NL. Guaranteed critter free

Keep an eye on those 'two legged' critters Frits
That is a nice storage place you have there.
MartinB.

[Leroy]

Re: Tips on winter storage

I think the worst thing you can do is put one of those gas additives in your gas tank that are supposed to keep your gas fresh. All it is is alcohal and it just eats up your fuel pump seals and gaskets. It's like putting a tank of E-85 in your car. How many threads have you read were someone takes there car out after setting all Winter and it dies or will not start because the fuel pump or pumps aren't working. Just a full tank of gas is your best protection from condensation. Leroy

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[Davvyjay]

Re: Tips on winter storage

I discovered some astounding news (to me, anyway) regarding the storage of gasoline. A website discussing the shelf life of gasoline (http://www.fuel-testers.com/expirati...hanol_gas.html) states that the gasoline refiners who add ethanol are producing a fuel that has a tremendously short life span. Ethanol can absorb 50 times more water than ordinary, old-fashioned gasoline and, according to the site, only one tablespoon of water can cause the fuel to become contaminated. They recommend to keep gas with ethanol for only two to three weeks before replacing it! On the other hand, straight gas, without ethanol, will last for many years. The website advises against using additives, calling their use "foolish," since no product will prevent water and gasoline from separating. A google search on "shelf life of gasoline" produced similar websites, so I guess it's true information. Man, just when you're all set for winter! If you've put in stabilizer, I guess you have the perfect excuse to take your car out for a spin; a very long one to burn up that tank.

[NotU]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Just from my own experiences with gasoline...
My '65 TB convertible had been sitting (in the garage) for the last 3 years, since I purchased the 2005. Last summer, I thought it's about time it gets some use. After much cranking, it fired right up. I did park it with a full tank of gas. I burned about a 1/2 tank this year. The old gas caused no problems. Another '65 I have had sat about 8 years before being fired up again. That took some coaxing, but it did start and run.
I just make sure the tank's full of Amoco Ultimate if its going to sit for some time. Same for the lawnmowers, they sit all winter.
The 2005 also is not used in the winter. I just park it in the garage with a full tank. The only problem was that it needed the battery charged last spring. (Normally I pull the batteries and store them in the basement)
Back to the storage problem...I agree, the indoor storage would be best.
Good luck!
Randy Mattson

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Tips on winter storage

Had a Le baron for 12 years and the Bird for 5 years.
When they salt the roads they both went in the garage till spring rains washed away the salt.
I fill the gas tank, put some D-con around the garage, then start the car the first of every month and let it run 20 minutes and a couple of laps up and down the driveway to keep everything moving. That's it and never any problems!

No plastic on the floor
No fuel stabilizer
No battery tender
No sealed plastic coffin

My son took the Le baron when I got the Bird
and at 17 years old it still looks and runs great!

Now snowblower and lawn mower I just start them at the end of the season in the garage with the door closed [ to kill or chase out any critters that may be in the garage] and let them run till they are out of gas then let them sit with gas cap off to prevent condensation. I fill with fresh gas at start of season and they always start right up.

[Black Hawk 03]

Re: Tips on winter storage

What is Winter storage?

[Ski]

Re: Tips on winter storage

What is Winter storage?

That's cold! (pun intended)

[luvbirdz]

Re: Tips on winter storage

What is Winter storage?

Also called withdrawal from our favorite addiction. The only relief is a daily fix of ThunderBirdNest.